Air conditioner



April 21, 1936. s. CHAPMAN 2,037,760

l AIR CONDITIONER Filed 8I 1955 Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATESV PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

My invention relates to an air conditioner adapted to cooperate with an opening provided in a closed vehicle for vision or ventilation. It is equally adaptable to window frames provided with sliding glass or to cowling ventilators.

It is an object of my invention to combine in an air conditioner` having a reasonable temperature control range, simplicity of construction with compactness of form.

It is a further object of my invention, through structural compactness, to provide an air conditioner, which will offer minimum visual obstruction when applied to the window frame of an automobile.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an air conditioner which may be applied to a ventilator conduit without reduction of that space normally allocated to vehicle occupants.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain new andnovel improvements in air conditioners, which will be hereinafter more fully illustrated and described inthe accompanying drawing and more particlarly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, in which numerals of like character designate similar parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 shows my invention positioned in a window frame of the driving compartment of an automobile;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows the device mounted above the bottom side of the window frame.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 1a shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of my invention positioned beneath a ventilator of the driving compartment of an automobile;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the above embodiment installed immediately beneath the top side IIa of the window frame I0; and

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 1 shows the upper portion of a door 9 located upon the left-hand side of the driving compartment of an automobile. The door 9 is provided with a window frame I0 consisting of top and bottom sides Ila and IIb and front andl rear sides Ilc and IId. A cross section of the top side Ila and an adjacent portion of a door frame 8 is shown in Fig. 2. A liquid tank I2, slightly less in length than the width of the window frame I0; is provided at its top mid-portion with a tongue I3 adapted to seat within a U- shaped felt I4 embedded in the top side Ila. 5 Projecting ends of the tank I2 are secured to the upper side portions of spacer blocks I6 by means of screws I5. A drip plate Il is secured to the bottom of the spacer blocks I6 by means of screws 55, shown in Fig. 5. Longitudinally dis- 10 posed rods I8 are embedded in top and bottom inner surfaces of the spacer blocks I6 to form a series of supports for three foraminous sheets I9. The inner central portion of the tank I2 is provided with a cock for regulating predetermined 15 @fluid inlet, while a longitudinally disposed felt strip 2| is fixed to the under mid-portion of the drip plate I1 for sealing of the top edge of the window glass 22 thereagainst. A plurality of dei'lector vanes 23 are secured at their upper ends 20 to the lower outer edge of the tank I2 by means of a plurality of brackets 24 and at their lower ends to the bottom of the outer edge of the drip plate I'I' by means of a like plurality of brackets 25. Interrelationship and attachment of the 25 aforementioned parts are referred to later in the description of Figs. 4 and 5.

In Fig. 4 the bottom of the tank I2 is coveredI by a corrugated sheet 4 I provided with a series of longitudinally disposed drip holes 42. Two baille plates 43, in conjunction with the spacer blocks =I6 and the drip plate I'I of Fig. 1, form three relatively similar, lateral passageways. The plates 43 are provided with notches 44 and lugs 45, which act, respectively, as mid-supports for the rods I8 and corrugated sheet 4I. Assuming the brackets 25 to be temporarily removed, the\ three foraminous sheets I9 are installed as follows: One extremity of each sheet I9, as well'as the left-hand edge of the felt strip 2|, is xed to the 40 bottom of the drip plate I1 in the longitudinal relationship of Fig. 1, by means of a retaining strip 46 and screws 4l. The loose ends of the three sheets are then passed around the left end of the drip plate l1 and progressively over a top and 45 under a bottom rod I8. Slack is next-removed by tensioning the unsecured sheet ends, which are thereupon passed around the right bottom edge of the drip plate I1 and fixed in conjunction with the right-hand edge of the felt strip 2| to 50 the bottom of the drip plate I'I by means of a retaining strip 48 and screws 41. It will be noted that the deflector vanes 23 are provided with hinge pins 49. The upper end of pin 49 having been inserted Within hole 50 of bracket 24 and 55 25, the latter bracket is then fixed to the drip plate I1 by means of screws 52. The deilector vanes 23 are adapted to be set by hand through an angular range of 180 degrees, though approximately carried at or less than the angle indicated in Fig. 5, when functioning as scoops.

Fig. 5l shows an upside down, as well as multisectional, view of the extreme rear of the air conditioner embodied in Fig. 4. The end of the liquid portion of the tank I2 is sealed by a. plate `53, while the projecting ends thereof are fixed to the spacer block I6 by means of screws I5. The manner of embedding the rods I8 in the spacer block I6 is clearly shown, as is also at tachment of the drip plate I 1 by means of screws 55. The spacer block I6 is provided with a groove 56 into which freely slides a tongue 51. The outer edge of the tongue 51 is adapted to slidingly engage the U-shaped felt I4 embedded in. the rear side I Id, tongue 'installation being made just prior to raising of the window glass 22 into the position shown in Fig. 1.

rI'he operation of the above embodiment of my invention is as follows. The body portion of the cock 20 is removed, the tank I2 filled to the liquid level shown, the body portion replaced and the handle thereof regulated to that degree of air inlet which will induce desired liquid outlet through drip holes 42 in the bottom of tank I2. It should be noted that the upper extremity of the cock 20 is adapted to receive coupling hose 84 and piping 85 for connection to a remotely located liquid supply source (not shown), if desired. Both rates of air or liquid inlet which will induce desired liquid outlet through drip holes 42 in the bottom of the tank I2 are similarly regulated by predetermined tilting of the handle of the body portion of the cock 20. Upon completion of tank lling, the window glass 22 is completely lowered, the air conditioner raised into engagement with the U-shaped felt I4 embedded in the top side IIa., the two tongues 51 inserted between grooves 56 of the spacer blocks I6 and the U-shaped felts I4 embedded in front and rear sides I Ic and I Id, and the Window glass raised until its upper edge firmly contacts the felt strip 2| of the drip plate I1. The deflectr vanes 31 are set to scoop in the direction of vehicle travel. The rate of air flow through the conditioner is regulated by increase'or decrease of scoop angle, while liquid flow is regulated by increase or decrease of vent opening or in the event of a remotely located liquid supply source, by increased or decreased source flow.

In Fig. 3 my invention is shown mounted immediately above the bottom side IIb of the window frame I0. The window glass 22 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is fully lowered, an auxiliary window glass 40 is positioned in the window frame I9 with its upper edge seated in the U-shaped felt I4 embedded in the top side IIa. and the top channel of a retainer strip 39 of H-shaped crosssection is installed entirely across the lower edge of the auxiliary window glass 40. The tongue I3 is then seated within the bottom channel of the retainer strip 39 and the upper edge of the window glass 22 raised into engagement with the felt strip 2|. It is thus optional with the occupant or occupants of an automobile whether vision be elected over or under the above embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 1a shows the extrme forward portion of the driving compartment of Fig. 1. It is provided with a iloor I, a foot rest 2 and a forward.

2,037,760 the lower end thereof within hole 5I of bracketwall 3. I'he wall 3 is surmounted by a cowling 4 having a ventilator 5. To the rear of the cowling 4 are located'an instrument panel 6, a windshield frame 1, and a door frame 8. Baflie plates 26 and 21 extend completely across the ventilator conduit formed by the wall 3, the cowling 4 and the instrument panel 6 to completely seal the aforesaid conduit with the exception of an elongated opening identical in dimensions and character to the opening formed by the top edge of the window glass 22 and the upper side and top portions of the window frame I0 as shown in Fig. 1. A liquid tank 28, identical in' over-all length to the tank I2, is provided with a cover plate 29. The top mid-portion of the cover plate 29 is provided with a tongue 30 adapted to seat within the felt I4 of the inverted U- shaped portion 3I of the baille plate 26. Projecting ends of the tank 28 are screwed fast to the upper side portions of spacer blocks 32. A drip plate 33, screwed fast to the bottom of the spacer blocks 32, is provided at its under midportion with a longitudinally. disposed felt strip 34 for seating of the upturned rear edge of the baffle plate 21 thereagainst. Longitudinally disposed rollers 35 are journalled to top, midd1e and bottom portions of the spacer blocks 32 to form a series of rotatable supports for an endless foraminous sheet 36. A plurality of deflector vanes 31 are secured at their upper ends by bracketlike projections 38 of the cover plate 29 and at their lower ends to the bottom of the rear edge of the drip plate 33 by means of a like plurality ofv brackets 25.

In Figs. 6 and '7, one of a plurality of laterally disposed gusset plates 58 is shown, by means of :which the semi-upper outer edges of the tank 28 are reinforced. The upper end of each gusset plate 58 further acts as a support for one or the other of two pins 59, acting as journals for a pluraiity of longitudinally disposed rollers E0. The ends of the liquid portion of the tank 28 are sealed by plates 6I, which act as end supports for the pins 59, while the projecting ends thereof are screwed fast to the upper portions of the spacer blocks 32 in a manner identical to tank I2 attachment to spacer block I6, Fig. 5. Brackets 62 project inwardly from each plate 6I to act as vertical guides for a weighted roller 63. Dowels 64 secure the cover plate 29 against sliding movement with reference to the tank 28. It will be noted that the deflector vanes 31 are provided with hinge pins 65. The upper ends of the pins 65 are adapted to be inserted within holes 66 of the bracket-like projections 38 of the cover plate 29. The lower ends of the pins 65 are adapted to be inserted Within holes 61 of the brackets 25, which are fixed to the under portion of the drip plate 33 by means of screws 52. It will also be noted that the longitudinally disposed felt 34 is fixed to the under mid-portion of the drip plate 33 by means of rivet-washer assemblies 68.

In Fig. 7 the longitudinally disposed rollers 35 are provided with journal pins 69 and lock pins 10. Each pin 69 freely rotates within a bearing 1I, xed to spacer blocks 32. It will be noted that an over-length journal pin 12 is provided for the forward end `of the lower right-hand roller 35 of Fig. 7. A second lock pin 13 secures a bevel gear 14 to the outer end thereof, which is adapted to engage a second bevel gear 15 carried by a bracket 16 fixed to the bottom outer edge of the drip plate 33 by means of screws 11. 'I'he bevel gear 15 is retained by a collar 18 and holes may be added to drip lock pin 19, its maximum diameter being lmurled for hand grasping. It is, of course, obvious that the aforementioned knob may be replaced by a conventional crank handle. In Fig. 6 the foraminous sheet 36 is of roller towel type and the manner of its installation self evident.

With reference to Figs. 4 and 6, exterior drain plates I1 and 33, if desired,- as may also elongated slots 8| to the weighted roller 63. If found desirable antilea strips may be added to the under surface of the cover plate 29 in' the vicinity of the rollers 60.

In Fig. 3 it will also be noted that the cock 20 is composed of a body portion 82, performing the joint function of a fluid inlet regulator and liquid filler cap, and of a flange portion 83 fixed to the tank I2, performing the joint function of a body support and liquid filler hole. The body portion 82 and flange portion 83 are provided with conventional threaded engagement and leak-prooi gasket (not shown).

The operation of the second embodiment of my invention is as follows: The cover plate 2d is removed, the tank 28 filled to the liquid level shown and the cover plate 29 replaced, care 4being taken to properly align hinges 65 with holes 6d provided -in the projections dit of cover plate 29. Window and ventilator installations are identical to those of the first embodiment of my invention. Air flow regulation through the conditioner is likewise identical. The rate of moistening the foraminous sheet tti, however, depends upon thefrequency and amount oi. turn of the knob portion of the bevel gear it. If required, the outer surface oi the roller 35 fixed to the bevel gear 'I5 can be roughened sufciently to eliminate slippage between that surface and the inner surface of the moistened sheet i3d. lt is obvious that part or all of the sheet itt may be passed under the weighted roller at any one time and that appropriate markings may be placed upon the outer surface of the sheet to denote the amount of sheet travel. It is likewise obvious that the bevel gear l5 can be driven at a given low rate of turn by auxiliary power means.

For installation of the second embodiment of my invention beneath the ventilator E shown in Fig. la, the deilector vanes tid are set normal to the rods it (same as varies 3l of Fig. l), after which the tongue ifi and the felt strip 2i of the air conditioner are sprung into engagement with the U-shaped felt it embedded in portion 3i of the baille plate 26 and the upturned edge of the baille plate 2l. lin conclusion, the two tongues 5l' are inserted between grooves di of the spacer blocks i@ and two U-shaped felts id embedded in vertically disposed portions 3i of the baflie plate 2E, which terminate slightly above the top surface of the upturned portion of baille plate 2li. For the above installation the rate of air now through the conditioner is regulated solely by increase or decrease of ventilator hood opening.

communication means between the contents of said tank and said foraminous sheet.

2. An air conditioner of framelike form comprising, a liquid filled tank, a drip plate of like plan form, two spacer blocks fixed normal to said tank and said drip plate in over-all continuation thereof, a foraminous sheet having a portion thereof disposed in multi-folds crosswise of the rectangular opening defined by said tank, said drip plate, and said spacer blocks such that the four edges of at least two of said folds substantially contact the sides of said opening, air flow I deflecting means secured to one side of said tank and said drip plate, and intercommunication means between the contents of said tank and said foraminous sheet.

3. An air conditioner of framelike form comprising, a liquid filled tank forming the upper portion of said frame, a drip plate of like plan forming the lower portion of said frame, two spacer blocks fixed normal to said tank and said drip plate forming the side portions of said frame, a foraminous sheet having a. portion thereof disposed in multi-folds crosswise of the rectangularly-walled passageway formed by said tank, said drip plate, and said spacer blocks such that the outer edges of at least two of said folds sub'- stantially contact the sides of said passageway, and intercommunioation means between the contents of said tank and said foraminous sheet.

d. An .air conditioner of framelike form comprising, a liquid filled tank forming the upper portion of said frame, a drip plate of like plan forming the lower portion of said frame, two spacer blocks fixed normal to said tank and said drip plate forming the side portions of said frame. crosswise rods secured normal to the inner surfaces of' said spacer blocks adjacent to the bottorn surface of said tank and the top surface of said drip plate, a foraminous sheet having a portion thereof stretched alternately over a top and under a. bottom crosswise rod such that the outer edges of at least two of the resulting folds substantially contact the inner surfaces of the rectangularly-walled passageway formed by said tank, said drip plate, and said spacer blocks, means for holding the two outer folds of said foraminous sheet in stretched engagement over the ends of said passageway, and intercommunication means between the contents of said tank and said foraminous sheet.

5. An air conditioner of framelike form cornprising, a liquid filled tank forming the upper portion of said frame, said tank having its bottom provided with two or more crosswise rows of apertures of predetermined longitudinal spacing and size, a drip plate of like plan forming the lower` portion of said frame, two spacer blocks xed normal to said tank and said drip plate forming the side portions of said frame, crosswise rods secured normal to the inner surfaces of said spacer blocks adjacent to the bottom surface of said tank in like plurality with and each immediately beneath a row of said tank apertures, crosswise rods numbering one less than said rows of tank apertures secured normal to the inner surfaces of said spacer blocks and adjacent to the top surface of said drip plate, a foraminous sheet having a portion thereof stretched alternately over a top and under a bottom crosswise rod such that the outer edges of at least two of the resulting folds substantially contact the sides of said passageway', and means for holding the two outer folds of said foraminous sheet in stretched engagement over the ends of said passageway.

6. An air conditioner of framelike form com prising, a liquid filled tank forming the upper portion oi said frame, said tank being provided with a cock for regulating fluid inlet and having its bottom further provided with two or more crosswise rows of apertures of predetermined longitudinal spacing and size, a drip plate of like pian forming the lower portion of said frame, two spacer blocks fixed normal to said tank and said drip plate forming the side portions of said frame, crosswise rods secured normal to the inner surfaces of said spacer blocks and adjacent to the bottom surface of said tank inlike plurality with and each immediately beneath a row of said tank apertures, crosswise rods numbering one less than said rows of tank apertures secured normal to the inner surfaces of said spacer blocks and adjacent to the top surface of said drip plate, a foraminous sheet having a 'portion thereof stretched alternately over a top and under a bottom crosswise rod such that the outer edges of at least two of the resulting folds substantially contact the inner surfaces of the rectangularly-walled passage way formed by said tank, said drip plate, and said spacer blocks, means for holding the two outer folds of said foraminous sheet in stretched engagement over the ends of said passage way, and vertically disposed deflector vanes pivotally secured at their upper ends to a side of said tank and similarly secured at their lower ends to the same side of said drip plate.

'7. An air conditioner for closed vehicle bodies adapted to be secured between the upper edge of a vertically sliding window and the top of the window frame comprising, an elongated liquid filled tank having a tongue adapted to engage the upper window frame groove, an elongated drip plate having a felt strip adapted to seat upon the upper edge of said window, vertically disposed spacer blocks fixed normal to said tank and said drip plate in over-all continuation thereof, a foraminous sheet having a portion thereof disposed in multi-folds crosswise of the rectangularly-walled passageway formed by said tank, said drip plate, and said spacer blocks such that the outer edges of at least two of said folds substantially contact the sides of said passageway, means secured to said tank and said drip plate for selectively defiecting air flow adjacent said closed vehicle through said passageway, and intercommunication means between the contents of said tank and said foraminous sheet.

8. An air conditioner for closed vehicle bodies adapted to be secured between the upper edge of a vertically sliding window and the top of the window frame comprising, an elongated liquid filled tank having a tongue adapted to engage the upper window frame groove, an elongated drip plate having a felt strip adapted to seat upon the upper edge of said window, vertically disposed spacer blocks fixed normal to said tank and said drip plate in over-all continuation thereof and having vertical grooves disposed in opposite and spaced relationship to the side window frame grooves, tongues adapted to slidingly engage the aforesaid pair of oppositely disposed grooves, a foraminous sheet having a portion thereof disposed in multi-folds crosswise of the rectangularly-walled passageway formed by said tank, said drip plate, and said spacer blocks such that the outer edges of at least two of said folds substantially contact the sides of said passageway, means secured to said tank and said drip plate for selectively defiecting air flow adjacent said closed vehicle through said passageway, and

intercommunication means between the contents of said tank and said foraminous sheet.

9. An air conditioner of framelike form comprising, a liquid filled tank forming the upper portion of said frame, a drip plate of like' plan forming the lower portion of said frame, two spacer blocks fixed normal to said tank and said drip plate forming the side portions of said frame, crosswise rollers journaled normal to the inner surfaces of said spacer blocks adjacent to the bottom surface of said tank and the top surface of said drip plate, an endless foraminous sheet having a portion thereof stretched alternately under a bottom and over a top crosswise roller such that the outer edges of at least two of the resulting folds substantially contact the inner surfaces of the rectangularly-walled passageway formed by said tank, said drip plate, and said spacer blocks, means for holding the two outer folds of said endless foraminous sheet in stretched engagement over the ends of said passageway, and intercommunication means between the contents of said tank and all portions of said endless foraminous sheet.

10. An air conditioner of framelike form comprising, an elongated liquid filled tank forming the upper portion of said frame and having open top and recessed upper side portions. a plate adapted to cover said open top such as to provide two oppositely disposed narrow side openings, a drip plate of like plan forming the lower portion of said frame, two spacer blocks fixed normal to said tank and said drip plate forming the side portions of said frame, crosswise rollers with top surfaces adjacent to and slightly above said narrow side openings having their ends journaled normal to the inner surfaces of said spacer-blocks, crosswise rollers journaled normal to the inner surfaces of said spacer blocks adjacent to the bottom surface of said tank and the top surface of said drip plate, and endless forammous sheet having a portion thereof stretched alternately under a bottom and over a top crosswise roller such that the outer edges of at least two of the resulting folds substantially contact the inner surfaces of the rectangularly-walled passageway formed by said tank, said drip plate, and said spacer blocks, means for holding the two outer folds of said endless foraminous sheet in stretched engagement over the outermost bottom and recessed uppermost rollers, and means for inducing progressive ingress and egress of successive portions of said endless formaninous sheet through said liquid lled tank.

11. An air conditioner of framelike form comprising, an elongated liquid lled tank having open top and recessed upper side portions with crosswise narrow rollers attached to the inner surfaces of said side portions such that roller top surfaces lie flush with the top of said tank. a plate adapted to cover said open top such that a narrow opening is provided between said crosswise narrow rollers and the under outer edges of said cover plate, a drip plate of like plan forming the lower portion of said frame, two spacer blocks fixed normal to said tank and said drip plate forming the side portions of said frame, crosswise rollers with top surfaces adjacent to and slightly above said narrow side openings having their ends journaled normal to the inner surfaces of said spacer blocks, crosswise rollers journaled normal to the inner surfaces of said spacer blocks adjacent to the bottom surface of said tank and the top surface of said drip plate, an

endless foraminous sheet having a portion thereof stretched alternately under a bottom and over a top crosswise roller such that the outer edges of at least two of the resulting folds substantially contact the inner surfaces of the rectangularly-walled passageway formed by said tank, said drip plate, and said spacer blocks, an elongated weighted roller adapted for ready insertion through the open top of said elongated tank for holding the two outer folds and an uppermost Ushaped fold of said endless foraminous sheet in stretched engagement over the outermost bottom rollers, then the recessed uppermost rollers, then the crosswise narrow rollers, and means for inducing progressive ingress and egress of successive portions of said endless foraminous sheet through said liquid filled tank.

SARGENT CHAPMAN. 

